Tropical Storm Alma has dissipated over the high mountains of Honduras, and thankfully did not dump enough rain to cause a major flooding disaster in Central America. At 3pm EDT yesterday, Alma became the first tropical storm since records began in 1949 to make landfall on the Pacific coast of Central America. All previous Eastern Pacific storms have hit Mexico, which is considered part of North America. Alma came ashore in Nicaragua, near the Honduras border, as a tropical storm with 65 mph winds. So far, one person has been killed in Nicaragua, due to a fallen power cable. However, Alma has not dumped enough rain to cause widespread flooding--rainfall amounts in Nicaragua the past two day have been 3-8 inches. Costa Rica has had rains of similar magnitude, which have caused isolated mudslides that have blocked roads. Additional rain from Alma's remnants should total less than two inches in Costa Rica and four inches in Nicaragua. However, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula are likely to get 4-8 inches of rain over the next two days from this system, which could cause significant flooding and mud slides.

Figure 1. Current satellite image of Alma's remnants.
There is a large area of disturbed weather that has developed in the Western Caribbean between Jamaica and the Yucatan Peninsula in the past few hours, in association with a trough of low pressure extending from the center of Alma. This morning's 7:37am EDT QuikSCAT pass showed winds of up to 50 knots (58 mph) in this region, but no hint of a circulation or wind shift. It is possible that this disturbed area could start to develop on its own later today, as a westward-moving tropical wave currently near Jamaica interacts with it. This area should expand and spread into Honduras, Belize, and Mexico's Yucatan by Saturday. However, I'm not expecting a major flooding disaster with heavy loss of life anywhere in Central America from Alma's remnants. The GFS model is predicting that moisture from Alma will eventually work its way north and bring heavy rains to Florida by June 7. No models are predicting a tropical storm in the Atlantic during the coming week.

Figure 2. Doppler radar winds from the Kearney, Nebraska tornadoes of May 29, 2008. Note that a twin set of vorticies appears in this image, denoting that two adjacent tornadoes may have hit.
Tornadoes rip the Midwest again Thursday; tornadoes expected today in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri
Numerous strong tornadoes raked the Midwest last night, adding to the extensive damage already wreaked by one of the worst months of tornado damage in U.S. history. Last night's most significant destruction occurred in Jewell, Kansas, and Kearney, Nebraska. In Jewell, numerous businesses were destroyed and the town water tower toppled. In Kearney, multiple twisters hit, and a 90-car train was knocked off of its tracks. Wunderblogger Mike Theiss caught up to the Kearney tornado, and describes his experience in his blog today. All told, there were 55 tornado reports Thursday, but no deaths or injuries.
The Storm Prediction Center is calling for a "Moderate" risk of severe weather across Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri this afternoon---one level below their "High" risk level that was posted yesterday. Expect another significant tornado outbreak today. The Weather Underground Severe Weather page and Tornado page are good places to go to follow the severe weather. Also, tune in to the chase accounts and awesome storm photos from Wunderblogger Mike Theiss. Mike is in Tornado Alley this week, performing his annual chase efforts.
Jeff Masters
Photo of the original TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) driving out from underneath thunderstorm. Photo copyright Mike Theiss
Blurry photo of the Osbourne Kansas tornado taken while driving. Photo copyright Mike Theiss
Photo of Cloud 9 Tours members parked underneath some really eerie looking skies. Photo copyright Mike Theiss
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No way, no how does 90L have anything close to 80. Note to self: put no trust at all into this until it proves itself this season.
Sounds like a TD Correct?
839. StormJunkie 4:40 AM GMT on May 31, 2008 Hide this comment.
Not sure Orca, I think it has been around, is there a way to view other areas? Or is that the only area you can view?
It is part of the NRL complex if that helps any. Some really cool views there though!
Action: | Ignore User
Found it.. and Wow.
Upper left "Regions/Sector"
You can get some fantastic views... almost anywhere.
This gets parked at the back door mlc. Thing is insane!
Orca~ Nexsat has been available a few years now. It's a favorite of mine, though the range is pretty much around the US & some of thier products like cloudsat I like looking at from the cloudsat site.
Action: | Ignore User
Check post 857
I can see almost anywhere using that
858. SouthDadeFish 4:50 AM GMT on May 31, 2008 Hide this comment.
Drak then what is preventing it from being classified as a depression? I know it makes no difference if they call it one or not I'm just curious for future reference. Are they waiting for consistency in the convection?
I don't know what they are waiting for to be honest. The convection has persisted in that area for some time with falling pressures near 1002mb. Nonetheless, the proximity to land may be what keeping the NHC from calling this.
1. Why do you care so much?
2. Did you learn about supporting evidence and how write a technical report in your Met school? I did. You could refute what Drak says with a real response and some backup. That would be a lot more effective.
3. Please don't make ignore a fellow met. If you really are one, that would be a shame. Attitude will not help you make any headway concerning those points you raised.
Kinda off subject, but... why don't some of you guys post any pics of yourselves? Just curious.
We like to remain hidden. Just look at SJ he looks like a ninja in that picture lol.
858. SouthDadeFish 4:50 AM GMT on May 31, 2008 Hide this comment.
Drak then what is preventing it from being classified as a depression? I know it makes no difference if they call it one or not I'm just curious for future reference. Are they waiting for consistency in the convection?
I don't know what they are waiting for to be honest. The convection has persisted in that area for some time with falling pressures near 1002mb. Nonetheless, the proximity to land may be what keeping the NHC from calling this.
Or they ran out of coffee.
NOOOOOO! You do not want to know. I'll tell you that they have spouted by a particular individual in the climate change blog as the solution for eveything from coral reefs to headaches. (Same guy thought the Gulf Stream was driven by the moon's gravity)
It is there for all of us! Your help is what makes it what it is.
Thanks Orca!
I'm so confused... What are the tunnels?
NOOOOOO! You do not want to know. I'll tell you that they have spouted by a particular individual in the climate change blog as the solution for eveything from coral reefs to headaches. (Same guy thought the Gulf Stream was driven by the moon's gravity)
ROFL!
I did, but thought the 60 or so pics of my son in a collage was a lot prettier. I am not pretty (don't care, but it IS the truth). That is one of the reasons I am not a met on TV. Not the biggest reason, but one of them.
It is not what we look like, but who we are !~)
Aww, Drak and SJ (even though I do like that pic)... some of us are nosey! Ha ha.
Action: | Ignore User
I use my Picture to scare the crows out of the cherry trees :)
What smmc, you are saying that atmo is that baby on the commercial that buys stocks??? lol. I love that comercial.
It is not what we look like, but who we are !~)
Exactly.
I guess some people are judgemental, not me... just nosey. I'm okay with not knowing what you look like, I'll make something up. LOL.
Don't make me go all kung fu up in here!
He is also my new owner of the "PA" award :)
as for a picture, I'd have to look for a while to come up with a good one:)
If they get used to it, let me know...I'll send pics of the mother-in-law.
...atmo, somethings smells? Not a good sign! LOL
Wha ???
Just the boy scouts. (JK)
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